Willie Allison Obituary
A public viewing will also be held Sunday, February 8, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home; 307 S Johns St. Florence, SC 29506. Funeral service will be held Monday, February 9, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark AME Church; 1532 Kingsburg Hwy, Johnsonville, SC 29555.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark AME Church Youth Fund in recognition of Willie's lifelong connection to his home church:
St Mark AME Church
Attn: Rev. Janice McMillian
1532 Kingsburg Hwy
Johnsonville, SC 29555
To send a flower arrangement in memory of Willie Ray Allison, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
Gerald Gilbert
February 7, 2026
First and foremost, my deepest condolences to the entire family. Willie Ray was a man whose presence left an imprint on everyone who had the privilege of serving with him. I met him in the late 1990s aboard the USS Hayler. He was a Chief in Engineering, and I was a Chief in Combat Systems, but within the Chief´s Mess, titles didn´t matter-we were a fraternity. We talked openly as a group and privately as brothers. Willie Ray and I shared many deep, personal conversations. He was a man of strong faith, steady character, and unwavering respect for everyone around him.
As a Chief, you interact with shipmates at every level, and Willie Ray was what we often called an "elder statesman." Junior and senior personnel alike sought him out for guidance. Even his department head, Jared Keys, leaned on him-not just for advice, but at times for the unique ability Willie Ray had to calm down the Chief Engineer like no one else could.
Whenever we pulled into Bahrain, I would visit a tailor to have suits made-far cheaper than back in the States. The first time I took Willie Ray, he ordered five suits on the spot. When the tailor asked what color shirts he wanted, he simply said, "All white." We tried to convince him to mix it up so he´d have shirts for every occasion, even when he wasn´t wearing a suit, but he was set on his choice. That was Willie Ray-simple, consistent, and confident in who he was.
In the Chief´s Mess, we kept our own little kitchen stocked with whatever we wanted. Without fail, Willie Ray added bananas and vanilla wafers to the grocery list so he could make his vanilla pudding. It became one of those small traditions that everyone remembered.
Even after leaving the Hayler, we stayed in touch, though sometimes a year or two would pass between conversations. A few months ago, Cedric Glover-another Chief from our Hayler days-asked if I had spoken to Willie Ray recently. I realized I hadn´t, so I sent him a Facebook message but never heard back. A few weeks ago, he crossed my mind again. When I checked his page and saw he hadn´t posted in a long time, I decided to call.
When he answered, I told him I had messaged him months earlier and noticed he hadn´t been active online, so I wanted to check on him. He laughed and said he didn´t really know how to use Facebook. Then he joked, "You probably thought I was dead, but I´m still kicking." That comment caught me off guard, but we went right into a normal conversation afterward-just like old times.
He told me about the trouble with his foot and the pain he´d been dealing with, and how he was getting around on one of those one legged scooters. His mind was still sharp as ever. He brought up personal conversations we´d had on the Hayler with perfect detail. We laughed the way we used to, and I could practically feel that contagious smile through the phone. I had no idea that would be our last conversation.
I was driving when my phone dinged with a message from Cedric. I glanced down and saw only the beginning: "Willie Ray..." My heart sank. I already knew what the rest would say. I pulled over and read the news no one ever wants to receive.
I can only imagine the pain the family is experiencing. On our Hayler Facebook page, I shared the news of his passing. Even though the ship was decommissioned many years ago and many shipmates aren´t on the page, the post received more than 50 reactions and comments from people whose lives he touched. That speaks volumes about the man he was.
Please know this: Willie Ray is missed by many. He made an impact on people from every walk of life, and his legacy lives on in the countless people he guided, encouraged, and inspired.
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 results
1601 27th Street, Newport News, VA 23607
Make a Donation
in Willie Allison's name
People and places connected with Willie
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support Willie's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Willie Allison's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
